Sandwich-machine.



A. J. CLAYTON, SANDWICH MACHINE.

APPLI CATION FILED mus. I916.

Patented Jan. 2,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

.4 .:L.. l mH1 Q. 6.6 m K A, J. CLAYTON.

SANDWICH MACHINE.

APPucAnou' men APR.26, I916.

L21 1,375. Patent/ed Jan. 2, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- III/ WITNESSES v INVENTOR UTEI) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED J. CLAYTON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO N. Y. SANITARY FOOD GORP., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SANDWICH-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 26, 1916. Serial No. 93,700.

exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the casing containing the mechanism, with the lock-releasing mechanism casing in section. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line IIII of Fig. 1 showing the casing for the lockreleasing mechanism in front elevation, with the door removed. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with a portion of the mechanism removed. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line IVIV'of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 3 with some of the portions of the mechanism removed, Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of the top plate, to-

- gether with the cutting engaging mechanism for the filling material, and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view showing the yielding checking device.

This invention relates to a machine for making and dispensing sandwiches, and is designed to provide an efficient and sanitary machine which will make and deliver a single sandwich comprising one or more portions of investing material, and filling material, duringeach' cycle of operation of the mechanism.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a device of this character with an efiicient feeding, gaging and slicing mechanism for the filling material and which is arranged to be adjusted to cut and deliver a slice of said material of predetermined thickness, the slicing knife therefor being shaped to .prevent the filling material from sticking thereto.

A further object of my invention is to provide a yielding checkmg device at the exit of the holders for the investing material which will prevent the clogging of said exits and the jammin of the machine if crackers or other fraglle articles are used as the investing material.

The form of mechanism illustrated in the drawings to which my improvements have been appliedis designed for. making asandwich consisting of a slice of cheese between two crackers. It will be obvious that other cereal or bread products may be used as the supporting and investing material, and that the filler may be sliced from a mass of ma terial other than cheese.

The machine is capable of superimposing two or more bodies, one of which has been previously severed from a larger mass and passing the aggregate to a point of delivery.

The present invention may be used for placing a portion of cheese on a cracker and then passing the same to a position of easy access. It may go still further and place a second cracker on the cheese to form a com.- plete sandwich embodying the filler and two portions of investing material.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

The precise nature of my invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which will now be described, it being premised, however, that various changes may be made in the details of construction and the general arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 2 designates the frame-or casing for the actuating mechanism, provided with a bottom 3 and sides 4 which inclose the parts. Connected to projections on this casmg, by means of screws 5 is a supporting plate 5, and 6 is a similar plate held in position within the casing by means of screws 7.

8 is the cover for the casing provided with an upwardly extending flange 9 in which are seated three tubular holders 10, 11 and 12. The outer holders 10 and 12 are adapted to contain the investing materlal from which the sandwiches are formed, while the center holder 11 contains the cheese or filling material. These holders are held in place on the cover 8 by means of a. top plate not shown, which is held 1n position by means ing through the plate and the cover 8. The

holder 10 is immediately above an opening 16 in the plate 6; while the holder 11 1s immediately above a similar opening 17 in the plate 6. The holder' 12 extends upwardly from a recess 18 in a gmde-plate 19 connected to the plate 6.

Slidably mounted in 2 is a draw bar 20, whic is provided with a of through-bolts 14; extend-- 'des in the frame handle 21 which extends outwardly through an opening in the frame of the machine. This draw bar is arranged to actuate the various elements of the machine, as hereinafter described.

Slidably mounted in a guide-plate 22, connected to the plate 5, is an ejector 23, provided with a downwardly extending pin 24 which passes through a transverse slot 25 in.

the plate 5, and an angular slot 26 in the draw. bar 20. This ejector is adapted to push the lower investing portion from the column in the holder 10 to a position under the opening 17 in the plate 6, through which the filling material passes.

27 is a knife for cutting the investing material from the bottom of the column of such material in the holder 11. This knife is arranged to reciprocate in guide members 29 secured to the bottom of the plate 6. It is provided, at the rear end, with a pin 30, which extends downwardly through a slot in an arm 31, which arm extends upwardly from the draw bar 20, so that the knife will be reciprocated directly through the medium of the draw bar.

Pivoted to the bottom of the plate 6 is a cheese supporting platform 32, which is adapted to be raised and lowered to vary the distance between the top thereof and the cutting edge of the knife, by removing or adding washers 32 between the plate 6 and said platform at the pivotal point thereof.

33 is a link connected to the platform 32 and an operating lever 34 is pivoted to the plate 6.

34 is a pin connected to the knife 27 and which is arranged to actuate the lever 34 to shift the platform 32 from under the cheese "column, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, as the knife is advanced to slice off a piece of cheese.

Slidably mounted on the plate 5 is a sandwich ejector 35 which is'adapted to.recipro-' cate immediately below the knife and is provided with a guide member 35 which extends through a slot 36 in the plate 5. The rear end of this ejector 35 is provided with a slot 37 which is-engaged by a pin 37 on one end of a lever 38, and which is pivoted at 39 to the plate 5.

40 is a coil spring for normally retaining the lever 38 in the position shown in Fig. 3.

41 is a dog pivoted to the end of the lever 38, and 42 is a sprin connected to one end thereof and arrange to hold the rear end thereof against the stop 43 on the lever 38. This spring 42 also assists the spring 40 to draw the lever to its rearward position. Pivotally connected to the bottom of the machine is a lever 44, having at one end an upwardly extending pusher arm 45 which passes through an arc-shaped slot in the plate 6 and an opening 46 in a usher 47. This pusher arm is adapted to osci ate in an then drop on the cracker.

arc-shaped guide in the plate 19, immediately under the holder 12, which contains the other portions of the investing material. The other end of this lever 44 is provided with a slot or forked end for the reception of a downwardly extending pin 48 on.' the draw bar 20.

The operation of the foregoing mechanism is as follows: The draw bar 20 is drawn forwardly, and during this forward movement, the ejector 23 will move toward the left and move a cracker from the bottom of the column contained in the holder 10 to the left, under the opening 17. This lateral movement of the ejector is caused by the angular slot 26 in the draw bar. During this forward movement of the draw bar, the

knife 27 will cut a slice of cheese from the opening 17 just before the slice of cheese is s This slice will The forward movement of the draw bar 20 also moves the pusher 47 backward in the slot and permits the lowermost cracker of the column contained in the holder 12 to drop on to the plate 5 to be in position to be ejected. During this forward movement of the draw bar 20, a pin 49 which is connected to the draw bar and extends upwardly through a slot in the plate 5, engages the dog 41, rocks it about its pivotal pin, and passes beyond the same. The draw bar is then pushed inwardly, and during its return movement, the ejector 23 and the knife 27 will be moved to their initial positions. At the same time the chipped from the column.

lever 44 will be rocked in the reverse direction to move thepusher 47 forward and move the lowermost cracker from under the column toward a delivery plate 50. During this movement of the draw bar 20, the in 49 will move toward the dog 41 until it engages the same; and as soon as the dog 41 is engaged, the lever 38 will be rocked to thereby actuate the pusher 35 and push the cracker, together with the cheese, on to the delivery plate-50. Immediately after the cracker with the cheese thereon has been pushed on to the delivery plate, the pusher 47 will be'advanced sufficiently to move the second cracker engaged'thereby and place it on the cheese. The ,pin49 will pass the end of the dog 41 before it reaches the limit of its movement, so that the springs 40 and 42 will return the lever 38 and the pusher 44 to the position shown in Fig. 3.

As is well known to those familiar with the bakin art, it is almost impossible to bake crac ers of the character which will be used in connection with this device, of uniform shape, and'I have discovered that very frequently the crackers .will jam at .the exits of the containers. If these crackers should become clogged at these exits, they would be crushed by the ejectors so that they wouldnot be in fit condition to receive the cheese. In order to overcome the jamming, I have provided spring fingers 51 at the exits which are arranged to yield,

to permit distorted crackers to pass outthrough the exits, but which will still be effective to retain the second crackers in position below the columns.

It is essential in devices of this character to provide mechanism to prevent retrograde movement of the various parts after the mechanism has been put into motion; and to compel the operator to move the draw bar forwardly the full length of the stroke, and to then move it inwardly the full length of the stroke and at the same time lock it against retrograde movement. In order to lock the parts against such movement, I provide two sets of ratchet teeth at 52 and 53 on the draw bar 20. Pivoted to the bottom 3 of the frame is a pawl lever 54 having a double acting pawl 55 at the front end thereof. The rear end will engage the cam surface 57 which will move the pawl end to the right, so that the other end of the lever 56 will pass the center of the said cam and will immediately force the pawl into engagement with the teeth 53 so that the push bar can be moved outwardly, but not pushed inwardly.

When'the push bar reaches the complete outward stroke, a cam surface 58 will engage the pawl 55 and move the same to the opposite side into engagement with the teeth 52.

In order to lock the mechanism in its normal position, or in the position shown in Fig. 5, I provide a lockin lever 59 having a projection at one end, w ich is adapted to be held in a recess in the side of the draw bar 20 and which lever is normally held in its locking position by means of a spring 60. One end of the lever 59 is formed to engage a pin 61 on a lever 62, which is pivotally connected in a casing 63 secured to the side of the frame 2. The other end of the lever 62 passes through a slot in a slide plate 64, mounted in guides 65 in the casing 63, and is arranged to be engaged by a check which acts on one end of the lever 62 and rocks the same about its pivotal pin to move the end of the lever 59 out of the deof the blade.

tent in the push bar. Pivotally connected to the frame 2 is a lever 66, one endof which extends through a slot in a slide plate 64; and pivotally connected to the other end thereof is a lever 67. This lever 67 is nor- *mally held toward the left by means of a coil spring 68. This lever 67 is provided with a detent hich engages the pin 49 when the parts in the drawings The operation of this locking mechanism is as follows: A coin is dropped through a slot 70 in the top of the casing and falls upon the slide plate 64. The draw bar 20 is then moved in-- wardly'a short distance to permit the coin re in the position shown to drop into the coin plate in front of the end of the lever 62. The draw bar 20 is' .a predetermined distance, the coin will pass the end of the lever 62 and drop through an opening in the guide 65 into the casing 63. The levers 67 and 69 will be moved by the pin 49 until the end of the lever 67 engages a stop pin 69, which will permit the pin 49 to move out of the detent and complete its stroke. When the push bar is moved inwardly, the pin 49 will engage the end of the lever 67 and return the locking devices tov their normal positions.

The cutting edge of the knife is slightly V-shaped, as shown in dotted lines, in Fig. 1, while its lower face is provided with a recess 28 immediately back of. the bevel This recess provides an air space which prevents the moist cheese, or any other moist filling material, from adhering to the bottomv of the knife, and causes it to be freed therefrom.

In the drawings, I have shownand described a structure for delivering two crackers and a slice of cheese, but it will readilybe understood by those familiar with the art that other material than cheese, such as meat, fruit compositions, etc., may be formed into a column, sliced by the knife and deposited on the lower investing portion. Other investing material than crackers may also be placed in the containers or holders 10 and 11.

My invention provides a sandwich making and dispensing machine which is highly sanitary, since the filling and investing material are kept inclosed until the formed sandwich is delivered. During each cycle of operation, the machine is acting upon the parts of one and the same sandwich only,

thus keeping the balance of the material 139 in the machine confined in the containers grade movement after a cycle has been initi-- ated, makes it impossible for several sandwich parts being partially delivered without being used, and insures the proper completion of each cycle of movement. The

I coin controlled lock when used, provides a single locking mechanism for all parts of the machine, so that no part can be operated to disturb or deliver any portion of the sandwich material except upon the ins'ertion of the proper coin. This, with the single actuating member also insures each part of the mechanism being always in proper relation to the'others to perform its part in the cycle. I 1

The machine is of portable character; and is compact, requiring but little space for its installation and operation. i

I claim I 1. The combination with a container for investing material, of a container for filling material, a pusher'for shiftin a piece of investing material from its con ainer to a position below the filling material con- .tainer, a knife for slicing the filling material, a resilient finger at the exit of the investment container for controlling the outward movement of the material therefrom, and an ejector for pushing the assembled inserting and filling material to a delivery plate on the exterior of the machine; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a container for investing material, of a container for filling material, a pusher for pushing a piece of investing material from its container to a positionbelow the filler container, a knife for slicing a chip of the filler material from the filler in the container and for supporting the body of the filling material against further downward movement while the knife is under said material, and an ejector for ejecting the assembled sandwich parts to a point of delivery, substantially as described. n

3. The combination with a container for investing material, of a container for filling material, a pusher for pushing the piece of investing material from its container to a position below the filler container, a movable support for the bottom of said filling material, means for moving said support, a knife above said support for slicing the filler. in such container upon the investing material pushed below the filler container, said knife being arranged to support the filling material against downward movement while the knife is under the aterial and during the time that the support has been moved from thereunder, and an ejecto'nfor ejecting the assembled sandwich parts to a point of delivery, substantially as describe 4, In a sandwich machine, mechanism for positioning investing material below a column of filling material a movable support for said column,-a knife for removing the umn of filling material, a movable support for said column, a knife for removing the filling material and placing it on said investfilling material 0 as to place it on said ining material, actuating devices connected to the lmife and support to shift the support when the lmife is moved, mechanism for delivering the sandwich so formed, an actuating device for operating all of said mechan sms m a prearranged order to form and deliver a single sandwich during each cycle, means for preventing retrograde movement of said mechanisms, and means for locking said mechanisms at the completion of each cycle; substantially as described.

6. In a sandwich machine, mechanism for positioning investing material below a column of filling material, a movable support for said column, a knife for removing the filling material andcplacing it on said investing material, actuating devices connected to the knife and support to shift the support when the knife is moved, mechanism for delivering the sandwich so formed, an actuatorder to form and deliver a single sandwich during each cycle, means for locking said mechanisms at the completion of each cycle, and means for re leasing said locking means to permit the mechanism to be actuated; substantially as described.

7. A sandwich making and dispensinging device for operatin all of said mecha- IDISIIIS 111 a prearrange er'ing a portion of the filling material and assembling. it with an investing material, and means for moving the support from under the column of filling material as the severing means is advanced across said colunm; substantially as described.

8. A sandwich making and dispensing machine having a container for investing 1 material and a container for fillin material, a feeder for delivering a piece investing material from its container to a point below the container for the fillin material, an adjustable support for the g material, means for severing a portion of the filling material and assembling it with the investing material, means for shifting the support from under the column as the severing de- I vice moves across the column, an ejector for delivering said sandwich, and actuating connections arrangedto actuate said means, said means acting upon the component parts of a single sandwich during a cycle'of the movement; substantially as described.

9. A sandwich forming and dispensing, machine, comprising containers for investing and filling material, a movable support tions; substantially for the filling material, a cutter for the filling material, support actuating means connected to the cutter, mechanisms which carry the sandwich parts into assembled relations,

an ejecting mechanism, a single actuating member operatively connected to the cutter and mechanisms, and a single lock 'for locking the cutter and mechanisms at the completion of each cycle of their operations, whereby said parts are at all times'maintained ,in proper relative operating relaas described. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

- ALFRED J. CLAYTON.

Witnesses:

FLORENCE A. CLAYTON, GEORGE M. ABBor.

said 

